Posts filed under 'How To'

Editor’s Note: We were inspired by the equal 50-50 split on last week’s fishnet stockings poll, so we’re taking this opportunity to show the 50% of you who were pro-fishnets how to best wear this trend. And perhaps these tips will turn around some of the fishnet naysayers.

Fishnet stockings used to be reserved for a hot night out at the club or a late night rendezvous (or other equally racy events). But now they’re making their way into more mainstream wardrobes. How do you wear fishnets without looking trashy? Three simple tips:

(1) Choose a fishnet stocking with a fine mesh. The finer the mesh, the less racy the stockings appear.(2) Pair the stockings with clothing that’s more sophisticated than sexy. If you’re wearing a dress or skirt, a hem that’s around knee-length or longer is ideal. Pants pair well with fishnet stockings–it’s especially fetching when you can see just a hint of stocking showing.(3) Slip on a pair of closed-toe shoes. Boots are great, but most closed-toe shoes will do the trick. An open-toe shoe looks silly with fishnet stockings–or really any stockings (if it’s warm enough to wear an open-toe shoe, why are you wearing stockings?).

Have a great tip about how to wear fishnet stockings? Share it with us in the comments!

The Plaid Flannel Shirt is back–and it doesn’t have to be (nay–it shouldn’t be) reminiscent of 90s grunge. John showed the guys how to stand out from the crowd in a plaid flannel shirt, which prompted the ladies to ask how to translate this look for women. The plaid shirt, while reminiscent of a woodsy man, doesn’t have to be masculine.

How to give the plaid shirt a feminine touch? Three ideas:(1) Fit is key. A man’s shirt will fall straight at the sides, but a woman’s shirt should follow her curves. Too-straight side seams will make you look mannish.
(2) Leave the top button (or two) unbuttoned. Subtly show off your figure.
(3) Choose a shirt with special details, such as a ruffle at the back or tuxedo pleats down the front. The tuxedo pleats down center front on the American Eagle shirt, for example, give the shirt a feminine edge.

Flannel is one of those things people seem to avoid because, I think, they are scared of looking like an early 90’s grunge rocker wannabe. And it’s true: flannel can look very grungy when done sloppily. It’s too bad, though, really. Flannel button downs are great for locales with colder fall seasons such as the Northeast because of the heavier fabric. Plus, the patterns, usually plaid, can make a bold statement.

So if you want to stand out from the crowd, wear flannel–but do it right. Here’s how:

Find a Great Flannel Shirt:First off, you need to find a flannel shirt. Well-made flannel shirts aren’t the floppy and flimsy pieces that you probably saw in the 90’s. No, they have lines and form a great shoulder. And while I said they aren’t floppy; I didn’t say they aren’t soft. Here are three of the best flannel shirts

Pictured: Oak “Slash Pocket Buffalo Plaid Shirt” | $130 at OakThis is a great piece from a great store, Oak NYC. The bold pattern goes well with anything, from jeans to a wool coat. It looks boxy in the picture, but it’s not when you wear. Notice the absence of a collar; it’s a ring collar, similar to that of a t-shirt. The pocket detail, Oak’s signature, is another sleek feature.

Steven Alan “SA Work Shirt” | $178 at Steven AlanI really like this shirt in Red/Green (use the "choose a style" dropdown to view). Bold and colorful, it’s slim fitting and has a great shoulder. It also has a hint of rugged outdoorsman sex appeal. The picture doesn’t quite do it justice. Also be sure to check it out in White/Navy.

Cassette Flannel Shirt | $253 at Revolve ClothingA little pricey, to be sure, but very stylish. It has a hint of West Coast/Southern California fashion, but it doesn’t obnoxiously scream “Los Angeles” like those Ed Hardy graphic Ts do. The slightly faded pattern gives it a worn-in (in a good way, like a pair of jeans) vibe.

Craft an Outfit around the Flannel ShirtAs always, fit is going to be key here. If the shirt is big on you, it will look very sloppy. Too small, and you’ll give off an emo rocker vibe.

Since these patterns are so bold, you want to let it be the focus of your outfit. Whatever else you wear, make sure it’s subtle and, preferably, patternless. Wear your flannel shirt with some dark denim with no fade (or a subtle one at the most). Well-fitted khakis would also work—and they’d look especially good with the Steven Alan shirt. The tan from the khaki complements the green and red, which immediately stand out, but it’s the subtle brownish base that really makes it work. If it’s cold enough to wear a jacket, pick one that isn’t too busy and one that picks up or complements the base color of the flannel shirt. As for shoes, sneakers should (as always) be low tops. Shoes other than sneakers can also work, but this look is harder to pull off.

How you wear your hair is actually important here too. Having medium or longer hair will give off kind of an indie rocker vibe. I’m not saying you shouldn’t wear flannel with longer hair, but I’m not saying you should either. I think shorter, more styled hair gives it a refreshingly sleek look.

Last tip? Don’t bother wearing an undershirt with these flannel shirts; wear just that shirt and button it, but not all the way.

The key to dressing ten pounds thinner has much to do with a good magic trick. Like a magician that uses misdirection to compel his audience to look where he wants them to, you can visually create a slimming, elongated vertical line for the eye to follow. However, you don’t need to be a magician to look like you’ve shed pounds. To look like you’re ten pounds thinner without so much as a trip to the gym, try:Wearing What Fits: Fit is the #1 determinant of whether you look poor or polished. For good fit that flatters, look for clothes that skim your body. Body-hugging clothes, or those that pull at the buttons, only draw attention to problem spots. Before you wear something out of the house, make sure that nothing is puckering or pulling. And when in doubt, go one size up. The looser fitting clothing will encourage others to ask the golden question: “Have you lost weight?”

Monochromatic Outfits: The simplest way to create an elongated vertical line is to craft an outfit in one color. However, you needn’t be so strict—dressing in light and dark variations of one color creates much of the same effect.

Dark Colors: It’s no secret that dark colors tend to recede, and light colors tend to come forward. Though wearing dark colors visually minimizes problem spots, wearing head-to-toe dark colors can be dreary. Play up your best features by strategically adding lighter colors in those places.

Wearing Something You Love: To truly look amazing, you also have to feel amazing about yourself. And there’s no better way to feel good about yourself than to be wearing something that you love. Draw attention to your best features with a favorite sweater that shows off your amazing collarbone or an eye-catching necklace that frames your gorgeous face.

David Lim knows a thing or two about denim. As the designer and CEO of Kasil Jeans, David sculpts the form fitting denim designs that adorn the likes of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and a host of other A-list celebs.

1. Look for a GREAT WASH. Dark washes typically are more flattering and make you look leaner and taller. Also be sure to pick a jean that has a natural looking fade to it, nothing too contrived.2. Of course the FIT! Balance is key when it comes to fit, and back pocket size and placement are important to make the jeans look balanced and proportionate. Look for a good front rise and a back rise that doesn’t ride too low. The gapping in the back isn’t flattering. The waistband should sit comfortably around your waist, not tight enough to cut off blood circulation. For men: It’s important that the jeans fit flush on the hips.

3. TOP QUALITYFABRIC. Fabric is the foundation for a great jean, and just as good grapes make great wine, good fabric brings out great washes. Good denim will also be able to hold its shape throughout the day. Cheap denim will eventually stretch out within the first two hours of wearing.

4. THE DESIGN. Design is what distinguishes between brands, and subtle details and innovative construction are what defines premium denim. Stay away from anything too loud that screams for attention; simple and clean is timeless. Also, buy brands made in USA. Los Angeles is the capital of premium jeans, and you can’t go wrong if you stick to the right labels.

5. And the last tip for looking for the best premium jean: Just look for the KASIL label. Everything I’ve mentioned is in our label :).

The key to looking fresh at work despite the sweltering heat is to keep your look simple and remember that the difference between looking crisp and feeling wilted is all in the details. To beat the heat while keeping your look professional, try:

Lightweight, Breathable Fabrics: It goes without saying that lighter weight fabrics are generally going to be cooler than heavier weight fabrics. However, consider how breathable the fabric is. Natural fabrics like cotton and linen work especially well on hot days because they absorb and release moisture quickly, allowing fabric to “breathe.”

Simple Silhouettes: Simple, unfussy silhouettes—such as a well-cut suit or a shift dress—automatically give your look a polished feel, even when you’re sitting in the stifling heat.Adding the Unexpected: Upon this simple foundation, add an unexpected color or detail to punch up your outfit. A bright color, an oversized collar, or a special detail like pintucking or piping will take your outfit from simply work-appropriate to stunning.

Layering: Layering becomes more important than ever when alternating between the blisteringly warm outdoors and an ice-cold air-conditioned office. Keep a fitted sweater on hand in the office to weather these temperature shifts.Personal Grooming: Neat hair, manicured nails, and scuff free shoes—personal grooming essentials—are de rigeur. Longhaired women can pull back their hair into a ponytail or a bun for a refined look. Oil absorbing facial wipes work well to keep your skin fresh looking (and feeling) throughout the day.

We’ve used these principles to create a mini-series of heat-resistant and work-appropriate outfits for women and men. Enjoy!

Unless you’re purposefully trying to look depressed and angry, there’s no need to drown yourself out in black gear that has no personality. Although the LBD trend is back in full force, you don’t want your outfit to scream “blah.” That said, your black side of the closet doesn’t have to sit and sulk while the rest of the colors get all the attention. Paired with the correct accessories (shoes, jewels, handbags), a black outfit can rock the world like no other color.

To add zest to your ensemble, wear one (key word: one) of the following:

Pointy red mules: Imagine the surprise of onlookers the minute they look down at your fabulous red shoes.Chain-link bracelet: With a black dress, black shoes, and bare neck, sport a chunky chain link bracelet (preferably one with two tones like dark red and gold) that stands out on your wrist.Long, layered necklace: Whether they’re pearls or beads, long necklaces are in. Sport this look only if the neckline of your dress is conducive. Try the look with a turtleneck, crewneck or plunging neckline. Colorful handbag: The contrast of the black with the rich color will automatically put you on the fashion map.

If your parents never put you through ballet school and now you’re trying to make up for your lack of pirouettes by ballet pieces like ballet flats, leotards, and leggings, just make sure you wear them right or else you’ll look like a dancer with two left feet.

Ballet flats: If you’re not exceptionally short, ballet flats can be a treat not only to your eyes but also to your tiring feet. Paired with opaque tights or your bare skin, they can make any outfit look instantly stylish. Opt to match your pair with jeans – perhaps a bit tattered. The contradiction of a rugged piece (the jeans) with a delicate one (the flats) will be nice. Ballet flats can also be paired with a skirt, short or mid-length, but make sure the colors match. In other words, don’t wear a loud red skirt with pink flats.

Leotards: Usually dancers throw any old pants over their leotard when leaving ballet practice, but you should pair a black short-sleeved leotard with light-colored ripped jeans and black flats. Several strands of funky pearls around your neck might not be a bad idea either. Stay away from wearing bright-colored leotards; you don’t want to resemble a ballerina on crack.

Leggings: Leggings can be tricky because they automatically scream 80’s. If you think you can carry off that look, be our guest, but as a favor to “Flashdance” and “Dirty Dancing,” don’t buy them in purple, pink, orange, or any other wacky color. The act of sporting tights is a tad funky already, so opt for a mute color like black, gray, or navy blue. Also, realize that leggings are a pretty casual statement, so don’t try wearing them with a fancy skirt at the opera. Rather, throw them on during your latte fix with skin-tight jeans, round-toe flats, and a simple white t-shirt.

If you’re anything like us, you see more weekend clothes than workday clothes. With a greater range of colors, fabrics, and silhouettes, they’re just more fun to wear. It’s just a shame that they’re fully appropriate only two days out of the week.

Or so you may think.

We try to liberate these fun loving clothes from the closet as often as we can, covering ourselves with the Law of Weekend Clothes at Work. Simply put, the Law states that, in a business casual office, you are allotted one (1) weekend appropriate item per outfit, given that you surround that item with suitably business appropriate clothes.

Why does it work? Well, the formality of the rest of the outfit serves to elevate the look of the one casual piece. Note that the one item part of the law is more of a guideline, rather than a strict rule. With one casual item, you usually can’t get into too much trouble. For those of you who enjoy a challenge, however, we encourage you to try two or more items. If you want to share a cool outfit idea, (or if on the other hand, you run into problems) feel free to contact us at styleintelligence@gmail.com.

Dress it up with a cardigan, skirt, and a pair of heels. An added bonus—on the off chance that you’re perceived as unapproachable at work, the addition of a personal item to your look can go a long way to softening your image.

For men: This example is perfect for the man with one (or two, or ten) too many pairs of jeans in the closet.

Pair your jeans (no wild washes or treatments, please) with dress shoes, a blazer, and a sport shirt. The quintessential dot-com entrepreneur look, yes, but you’ll be backing it up with more than buzzwords like “mindshare” and “eyeballs.”